Now I Get It...

I've been in Foodland and even Malama and seen

tourist standing in front of the shelves with looks of wonder

in their eyes.

I got that same feeling today when I went to Albertson's.

So many choices...

it's almost overwhelming.

I get it now.

Even at our little Foodland or even smaller Malama

more than a few choices in cereal can actually be overwhelming.

Have Courage and Be Kind...

 I took Emme to see "Cinderella" today.

Her brother didn't want to go "...its for girls!).

This little 4 year old sat through the whole thing.  You could hear

the other little girls talking about different parts of it during the movie.

Hubby and I had gone to see it the other day.  We'd seen so many previews

that he actually wanted to see it!  Must say he really enjoyed it.

I think that I appreciated it even more this time.  I had read about the dress, so

I paid even more attention to it (all those bitsy lights that make it sparkle).  Amazing!

Me said her favorite part was the pumpkin turning into a coach and

all the animals.

I can actually say that the ball dance scene is probably my 

favorite.  I know that the actors worked really hard on that because of the dress.

(so I wonder if Disney will rework all of their Cinderella products to go along with this updated version?) 

I was thinking about the overall theme to the movie.  It's really not "every girl gets a prince".

it's...

even as Cinderella and the Prince are leaving her house, she shows kindness

to her step-mother by forgiving her.

Isn't this what we want for all of girls?

Girls can do anything as long as they have the courage to try.

Kindness is so unselfish.

This are the traits that I want for my granddaughters (even their mothers).

** Emme told me that I couldn't be a Fairy Grandmother, even if I knew all the words,

because I didn't have a magic wand!  well that makes sense.  Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo!

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

I've got my corned beef in the crockpot

and making some mint brownies.

A day when everyone is a lil' bit Irish...

Play Ball...

Grey was team captain this week

(all the boys recite the "Little League Pledge" )

before the game warm up

determined for sure

eyes on the ball

1st base...where he made the final 3 outs of the game and he 

says he likes playing there the best.

we had the perfect spot to sit...on the grass under 

the shade of trees.  It was 91 and I felt sorry for those little guys out there...

playing their hearts out...

for the love of the game

Trustworthy...

yesterday Grey received an award at school for

"Trustworthiness"

The principal talked about the traits of being trustworthy...

always being a good friend,

always doing your best,

and always telling the truth.

These are all Grey.

Greyson and his really good buddies

So proud of you Grey

and so very glad I got to be here for this special award.

Grandparents Day 2015...

one of the reasons I'm in San Clemente is for "Grandparent's Day"

at Our Saviors.

This is the 7th time I've attended one of these.

As I was sitting there I was thinking that next year will be Jack's last year there

and it will be the last Grandparent's Day.

A little sad.

The 4th graders put on a violin performance.

(Jack said that he was "air playing"

during the classroom visits, Jack

showed me everything that he'd been working on.

4th grade is the year of THE mission report...

I always enjoy the interview.

as Jack's special lunch, he wanted to go to Ruby's for

hamburgers.

It's nice to get to spend just one-on-one time with him and just talk.

Love you Jackster!

Forward ?...

I'm in SC for Daylight Savings Time.

So now I really don't have any idea what time it is.

Had to ask hubby this morning what time it was at home 2 or 3 hours, (3 hrs now)

difference.  I had no idea.  It was hard this year since I'd just gotten here.

I thought I was tired last night but nothing like this morning...

I was explaining to the grands the reason for it.  As I remembered, it had something to do

with energy saving many, many years ago.

I'm not sure I see the reason for it anymore.  it's just confusing and I wonder if it really does help 

save electricity.  It is nice to have it not get dark as early.

It'll take awhile to get used to it again...

just in time to go home.

Done...

the Animal Research Project is done!

Starts in January with the kids choosing their animal.  Then doing research and

taking notes/answering questions about their animal.

Those notes are then written into different sections.

Once those notes have been edited, the students then start

typing and editing.

then they illustrate

in between all of that, there are some students that start making a paper mache

model of their animal.  We had a parent volunteer come in and help with that

and Miss Debbie did the messy part outside

the models have been painted and the final touches have been done.

signatures collected, pages checked and rechecked, 

done, done, done!!!

this whole project is done at school.

During this whole process we do Language Arts that has to do with animals.

Close Reading passages about animals.

it's a long process for sure!

the packets are shipped off and in about a month, we receive bound book.  If

everyone in the class signs the permission form, the kids get their book for free!

It's a long 6 weeks, but so worth it in the end.

Hina Matsuri...

Happy Girl's Day!

this is a special day to celebrate girls.

The stores have special displays of cookies decorated in pink, pink mocha

and some version of the 'hina" or special dolls.

One of the hotels in Waikiki had a huge display, all 7 tiers, of the beautiful

dolls.  It was beautiful.  The store Shirokiya in Ala Moana has a big display of 

"Girls Day" treats and dolls.

Daie and Marukai both have dolls for sale.  

I love that this custom is carried over here.  We may do a little something special

in class today just for the girls...

Teddy's Comes to Haleiwa...

Teddy's Bigger Burgers finally opened in Haleiwa a week ago.

We really like this place when we've gone to their other locations.

The one in Wahiawa is sort of small, so we don't go often.

The new one has plenty of seating both inside and out which was really nice.

They've decorated it with Hawaiiana and have rattan furniture.  All of it seems

to go with the new "old" look of the new shops in Haleiwa.

We're excited that there's someplace else to get a burger here.  We gave up

going to Kua Aina years ago, just not good anymore it seems.  The drive

to Laie for 7 brothers is hard during the week.  So this was a welcomed

addition so close to home.